Fluorescent Light Bulb Disposal
Fluorescent Bulb Recycling
Energy-saving CFL bulbs are a great idea — as long as the burnt-out bulbs are properly recycled. CFL bulbs contain mercury, which can harm people and the environment. Contact Waste Management to have a CFL Recycling Kit, delivered to your door. You may also click here to order one online with Waste Management
Cleaning Up a Broken CFL
What to Do if a Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulb or Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb Breaks in Your Home
These tips also apply to other mercury-containing bulbs, including:
Other fluorescent bulbs, including linear, U-tube and circline fluorescent tubes,bug zappers, tanning bulbs, black lights, germicidal bulbs, high output bulbs, and cold-cathode fluorescent bulbs;
High intensity discharge bulbs, which include metal halide, ceramic metal halide, high pressure sodium, and mercury vapor;
- Mercury short-arc bulbs; and
- Neon bulbs.
Fluorescent light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. When a fluorescent bulb breaks in your home, some of this mercury is released as mercury vapor. The broken bulb can continue to release mercury vapor until it is cleaned up and removed from the residence. To minimize exposure to mercury vapor, EPA recommends that residents follow the cleanup and disposal steps described below.
This page presents only the most important steps to reduce exposure to mercury vapor from a broken bulb.
Before cleanup
- Have people and pets leave the room.
- Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment.
- Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one.
- Collect materials needed to clean up broken bulb.
During cleanup
- Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder.
- Place cleanup materials in a sealable container.
After cleanup
- Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.
- If practical, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours.
► View the detailed recommendations.
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